Ban against Shakti Kapoor withdrawn: Nihalani

Mumbai, Mar 19 (BDNEWS)-The ban imposed by the Producers' Guild on actor Shakti Kapoor in the wake of a TV expose, where he purportedly named some actors and directors for being involved in casting couch, has been withdrawn, filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani said here yesterday, according to wire services.

Nihalani said the earlier statement on banning Kapoor was made in the heat of the moment.

"The film industry will not boycott the disgraced actor and was unanimous in supporting him as he had been targetted", Nihalani told reporters.

Asked if filmmakers Subhash Ghai and Yash Chopra, named by the actor, would be working with Kapoor, Nihlani said the two were part of the industry.

Nihalani said the expose was aimed at boosting the TRP of the channel and accused it of indulging in a similar operation by "recording sexual escapades of politicians".

"But since it failed to evoke a response, the channel turned to filmstars as they are famous", he charged.

"Who is Shakti Kapoor to comment on the whole film industry when he himself has just 2-3 movies on his hand?" Nihalani said.

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has told him (Nihalani) that he has spoken to the channel which has assured him not to air any more such videos, nihalani said.

"We have always been victims-- be it of the underworld or anything else. Our lives are constantly being played across on newspapers," Nihlani remarked.

BDNEWS/0239 hrs.